Prevalence and Impact of Neuropathic Pain on Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Chhamita Sultana Chhanda; Md Mostafa Kamal; Kazi Mahzabin Arin; Salma Azad Tanni; Nasreen Boby; Afroza Akter; AKM Akhtaruzzaman

doi:10.62848/bjpain.v6i1.3079

Authors

Chhamita Sultana Chhanda Assistant Professor (OSD, DGHS) and Advanced Clinical Fellow, Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2274-0729
Md Mostafa Kamal Assistant Professor (OSD, DGHS) and Advanced Clinical Fellow, Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4665-1904
Kazi Mahzabin Arin Assistant Professor and Advanced Clinical Fellow, Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0064-3847
Salma Azad Tanni Classified Anaesthesiologist (CMH) and Advanced Clinical Fellow, Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine; Bangladesh Medical University. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3858-3268
Nasreen Boby Anaesthesiologist, Department of Anaesthesia, Pain, Palliative & Intensive Care, DMCH, Dhaka https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9642-0178
Afroza Akter Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Pain, Palliative & Intensive Care, DMCH, Dhaka
AKM Akhtaruzzaman Professor and Head, Division of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine; Bangladesh Medical University. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2427-1863

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62848/bjpain.v6i1.3079

Keywords:

Neuropathic pain, Chronic pain, Prevalence, Quality of Life, DN4, SF-36

Abstract

Background: Neuropathic pain (NeP) represents a significant global healthcare burden, frequently leading to profound morbidity and functional incapacity. Unlike nociceptive pain, NeP arises from a primary lesion or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of NeP among chronic pain patients in a tertiary care setting in Bangladesh and investigate its specific impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pain Outpatient Department (OPD), Kosaka Pain Clinic, and Pain Skill Lab of the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, over a one-year period. A total of 220 adult patients with chronic pain (duration >3 months) were evaluated. NeP was screened using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire (threshold ≥4). Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and HRQoL was evaluated across nine domains using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 44.36±13.28 years, with a distinct female predominance (65.9%). According to the DN4 questionnaire, the prevalence of NeP was 49.1% (n = 108). The most prevalent sensory descriptors were burning sensations (85.9%), tingling (76.4%), and numbness (70.0%). On the NRS, 75.5% reported moderate pain, and 24.5% experienced severe pain. Increasing age group was significantly associated with both higher pain severity (p = 0.009) and positive NeP status (p = 0.001), with individuals over 50 bearing the highest burden (73.13% positive). HRQoL was profoundly lower in the neuropathic group compared to the non-neuropathic group across multiple domains (p < 0.05), most notably in Physical Functioning (39.41±17.67 vs. 49.51±14.11, p < 0.0001), Vitality (31.32±13.39 vs. 44.34± 13.43, p < 0.0001), and Mental Health (35.55±12.19 vs. 43.56±14.27, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Neuropathic pain is highly prevalent among chronic pain sufferers in Bangladesh, particularly among older individuals. It induces a devastating decline in physical mobility, mental health, and vital energy, necessitating mandatory clinical screening with tools like the DN4 and early multidisciplinary interventions.